Puri’s holy Shri Jagannath Temple to open for devotees from August 16

Puri’s Shree Jagannath Temple is all set to reopen for devotees on August 16. The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) has now announced the same. According to SJTA, devotees need to produce an RT-PCR negative report in order to gain entry inside the temple.
The SJTA has also announced that the temple will remain closed on Saturdays, and Sundays, as the beach town of Puri is currently going through weekend lockdowns.

However, it must be noted that the temple will reopen in phases. Hence, starting August 16, the temple will only permit residents of Puri, or from the municipality area to offer prayers. This will go on until August 20, after which the temple will be open for all devotees from August 23 onwards.
According to Krishna Kumar, the Chief Administrator of SJTA, “We will issue a standard operating procedure (SOP) about the darshan system. Kiosks will be set up outside the temple to check the final dose certificates or RT-PCR negative reports of the devotees. While the temple will remain closed on Saturdays and Sundays, we will also shut the shrine on the occasions of major festivals to prevent heavy rush of devotees,”

Devotees will be permitted to enter the temple from 7 am to 8 pm on weekdays, and everyone has been advised not to offer bhog or light lamps in the temple. Devotees have also been asked not to touch any idols, and structures in the temple. A COVID testing camp will be set up at the temple for all employees before it reopens.